“Let the states decide. (e.g. on abortion)” is often said by Republicans. Big government bad they say, so we should let the state governments as opposed to the federal government dictate many things of our lives.
To those who say that, why don’t you say “Let the counties decide.”? And if you say that, why don’t you say “Let the cities decide.”? And if you say that, why don’t you say “Let the individual decide.”?
Normally, I like to shoot spitballs at both sides of the aisle. But when conservatives say something along the lines of “big government bad therefore let states dictate everything” it makes me chuckle. That is all.
It sounds good in theory, but in practice, a lot of the same governments which have favored the "states' rights" position have operated just the opposite when it came to running their own states.
Counties and municipalities have limited authority within the framework of most state governments. However, I've heard some sheriffs claiming that sheriffs have some kind of special authority over their counties, although I haven't delved too deeply into the actual legality of that. That may seem a bit crazy, although I do remember a time when the Border Patrol shot a fleeing unarmed suspect which happened in our county, and the county sheriff's department sent an investigator since it happened within the jurisdiction of the county. The Border Patrol guys got all huffy and said "Hey, we're all cops here, why do we have to answer a bunch of questions?"
It seems to be similar in Texas, where there may be federal, state, and local law enforcement all around the border areas.
There is something to be said for consolidation of resources that a large, unified society can bring about. I don't think the U.S. system is totally centralized, but as long as that centralized government maintains an adherence to the Constitution and Bill of Rights, it will continue to compel the same among the state governments.
Historically, the federal government has had to intervene in state affairs and impose more authority over the states primarily to enforce civil rights. Or there might be other reasons, such as the creation of National Parks and other protected lands, since not doing so could lead to corrupt and/or unscrupulous state governments acting irresponsibly with the land.